Engineering the Provitamin A (β-Carotene) Biosynthetic Pathway into (Carotenoid-Free) Rice Endosperm

TLDR

Rice milling removes the nutrient‑rich aleurone layer, leaving the endosperm deficient in provitamin A and contributing to widespread vitamin A deficiency in many tropical regions. The authors employed recombinant DNA technology to engineer the rice endosperm. A transgenic combination successfully produced provitamin A in the rice endosperm.

Abstract

Rice ( Oryza sativa ), a major staple food, is usually milled to remove the oil-rich aleurone layer that turns rancid upon storage, especially in tropical areas. The remaining edible part of rice grains, the endosperm, lacks several essential nutrients, such as provitamin A. Thus, predominant rice consumption promotes vitamin A deficiency, a serious public health problem in at least 26 countries, including highly populated areas of Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Recombinant DNA technology was used to improve its nutritional value in this respect. A combination of transgenes enabled biosynthesis of provitamin A in the endosperm.